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Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive, terminal brain disorder, is the most common form of dementia, affecting mostly people age 65 and older. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and has no known cause or cure.

Alzheimer’s slowly steals the minds of its victims, leading to memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes, disorientation, and inability to communicate.

More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, two-thirds of whom are women. By 2025, the number of Americans age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is estimated to reach more than 7 million, and by 2050, nearly 14 million—unless medical breakthroughs can prevent or cure the disease.

In this section, you can find out more about Alzheimer’s disease and how you can manage care for yourself or a loved one.

Find out how regular exercise, a healthy diet, and social and mental stimulation can help preserve your cognitive function, in Healthy Living.

Many people often confuse the terms Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. Although they are used interchangeably, there are distinct differences between them. Read about the differences between Alzheimer's disease and Dementia.

While any of us may someday have to quit driving due to safety concerns brought on by age, driving may become especially difficult for older person if the normal aging process is exacerbated by a disease, such as Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, or glaucoma.

When you or someone you love is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it can be the most devastating and overwhelming news. But the more you learn about this disease and the resources available, the better you are able to create a plan for the future.

Friday, Jul 3, 2015

Facts & Data

The first defense against brain and eye disease is knowledge.

Brain Anatomy & Limbic System

Learn more about which parts of the brain are affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

More than 15 Million

Promising Science

Up until now, the best method scientists have had to fight Alzheimer’s has been using drugs to treat the symptoms of the disease after they start to show. But new research offers them new hopes for treatments to attack the disease sooner.

In what is being hailed a “game changer” for Alzheimer’s research, researchers Rudolph E. Tanzi, PhD, and Se Hoon Choi, PhD, both BrightFocus grantees, have done the impossible. Together with their colleagues, they have managed to grow human brain cells in a laboratory for use in Alzheimer’s testing.

Experts & Advice

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of Major Neurocognitive Disorder, formerly known as dementia. Learn more about the difference between Major Neurocognitive Disorder, Mild Neurocognitive Disorder, and the pre-symptomatic phase of Alzheimer’s disease.

As you get older, you may find that driving becomes harder to do. You may have trouble seeing well at night or you may not react as quickly to sudden events or other driving conditions. Learn the types of medical conditions that can affect driving, including Alzheimer’s disease, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and certain types of medication.

Learn about Alois Alzheimer, the physician who described the brain changes linked with dementia, and the many other contributions that this gifted clinician and researcher made to our knowledge of medicine.

Stories & Thanks

I thank you for the information regarding Alzheimer's disease. I have been diagnosed with it and have noticed during the past week that I have become more confused and forgetful. I have to admit that I am a 74-year-old woman and would appreciate your prayers. God Bless.